Exploring application of MBTI personality types for improving English reading performance among Korean university freshmen (한국 대학 신입생의 영어 읽기능력 향상을 위한 MBTI 성격유형의 활용 가능성 탐색)

Lee, Kyoung Rang (이경랑)

Exploring application of MBTI personality types for improving English reading performance among Korean university freshmen

Modern English Education
Abbr : MEESO
2024, 25(), pp.276~291
Publisher : The Modern English Education Society
Research Area : Humanities > English Language and Literature > English Language Teaching
Received : August 11, 2024
Accepted : September 22, 2024
Published : October 10, 2024

Lee, Kyoung Rang ¹

¹세종대학교

Accredited

ABSTRACT

This study explored potential application of Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) personality types in English learning among Korean university freshmen. It compared relationships between MBTI personality types and English language learning styles and examined their impact on reading performance. Data from 50 students were analyzed. While commonly discussed MBTI types (such as Thinking-Feeling) showed no significant relationships with learning styles (such as Visual, Koreans’ dominant learning style), some significant associations were observed in combinations such as Extraversion- Introversion and Extroverted-Introverted, iNtuition-Sensing and Concrete-Sequential- Intuitive-Random, and Judging-Perceiving and Closure-Oriented-Open combinations. Interestingly, in the post-test, students with mismatched personality types and learning styles (e.g., Sensing and Intuitive-Random) outperformed those with matched pairs (e.g., Sensing and Concrete-Sequential). However, overall improvement in reading score was more significant when personality types and learning styles were aligned. This suggests that students can benefit from personalized approaches based on their familiar MBTI types in relation to learning styles. This study highlights the need for further research, including interviews or think-aloud protocols, to deepen understanding of these findings. Despite limitations such as a small sample size, this study suggests that integrating familiar MBTI terms into English learning could enhance student engagement and reading outcomes.

KEYWORDS

MBTI personality type, style analysis survey, English language learning styles, English reading performance

Citation status

* References for papers published after 2024 are currently being built.

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